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Tetanus
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
BY HOLLY TAO
FEB. 13, 2008
AP BIOLOGY
Basic Information
 Disease name: tetanus (also called lock jaw)
 Found… it is a global disease. Most cases found in
India and nearby regions; large amount of infection
in some parts of Africa and Malaysia. Significant
presence on Eastern Asia
 Causative agent: Clostridium tetani
Clostridium tetani
 A gram-positive, anaerobic bacteria
 Kingdom: Bacteria; Phylum: Firmicutes; Class: Clostridia;
Order: Clostridiales; Family: Clostridiaceae; Genus:
Clostridium; Species: Clostridium tetani
Transmission and Symptoms
 Spores exist in the feces of animals and humans, as well
as human skin cells and contaminated heroin
 Symptoms: contraction of muscles; severity and areas of
the body affected vary with each strain of the disease.
- Ie. Generalized tetanus: (80% cases) a descending pattern:
lockjaw/trismus, followed by stiffness of the neck, difficulty in swallowing,
and rigidity of pectoral and calf muscles. Also elevated temperature,
sweating, elevated blood pressure, and episodic rapid heart rate. Frequent
spasms.
Historical Significance and Other Facts
 Rust provides a prime breeding
spot for spores
 Known to the people of ancient
civilizations who associated the
disease with war (metals prime
breeding spot)
 The toxoid vaccine was developed
in 1924 by Descombey and was
used in WWII.